Cooling system



June 25, 1935.

V. C. HUNTINGTON Patented June 25, 1935 COOLING SYSTEM Victor C. Huntington, Blue Island, Ill., assignor to Wepsco Steel Products Co.. Blue Island, Ill.,

acorporation of Illinois I Application October 20, 1933, Serial No. 694)?89 13 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates in general to mechanical refrigeration, and while the principles thereof may be utilized in apparatus of various sizes and characters for many purposes, my invention particularly is adapted for liquid dispensers and commonly known as bars.

One of the deterrent factors of mechanical refrigerated bars hasr been the difficulty of maintaining a constant, predetermined temperature brine tank under varying outside temperatures and different quantities of draft service and to maintain an average predetermined temperature in a storage compartment from the same system of mechanical refrigeration.

The primarypurpose of my present invention is the controlling of temperatures in a brine tank with less variation than was heretofore possible and simultaneously to control the temperature of one ormore storage compartments from the same mechanical refrigeration system.

' While my invention is not restrictedin particular to bars or any particular type of refrigeration apparatus, I have, for purposes of illustration, merely shown and described herein a simple system of the compressor type with a single storage compartment and one brine tank as illustrative of my invention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference v,to the accompanying drawing.

On the drawing:

Figure l is adiagrammatic illustration of a refrigerating system incorporating my invention, some of the parts being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the beverage cooler, some of the parts being shown in elevation.

As shown on the drawing:

The refrigerating apparatus diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a pump or compressor 5 driven by an electric motor 6 by electricity received from power lines 1 and 8, the line 1 adapted to be interrupted by a switch 9 interposed therein and controlled by a thermostatic element I connected thereto by a usual tube I2 which carries the expansible medium. The pump or compressor is adapted to receive refrigerant through the intake connector I5 and discharge compressed refrigerant through the pipe I6 toV the vcondenser I1 from'where it passesl through the receiver I8. A pipe I9 leads from the receiver` I8 to an expansion valve 2l from which expanding refrigerant is adapted to pass through the T 22 to the pipe 23 and the heatabsorbing device consisting of a coil 24 and a multiplicity ofy fins 25 disposed thereon for extracting heat from the storage chamber 26. The refrigerant from the heat-absorbing device indicated generally by the numeral 21 passes through the pipe 28 and to the cooling coil 29 disposed in a brine tank 3| adjacent one end of the storage chamber 26. From the cooling coil 29 the refrigerant, which has passed through the coil 29, returns to the compressor 5 through the pipe 33. The inlet to the cooling coil 29 is pref erably at the topA and the outlet at the bottom which` facilitates the formation of ice in the form shown in Figure 2.

Between the T ZZ/and the end of the pipe 28' there is a bypass comprising pipes 34 and 35 which are connected by an electrically operated valve 36 actuated by electricity from electric conductors 31 and 38 which in turn receive electric power from line wires 39 and 4I, but are 'adapted to be interrupted by a controllable temperature responsive device 42 disposed in the storage chamber and adapted to operate at a predetermined minimum temperature for opening the valve 36 to permit refrigerant to bypass the heatabsorbing device 21a`nd circulate directly to the cooling coil 29 in the brine tank 3l. Theswitch orV temperature .responsive device d2 is adapted to be actuated also at a predetermined maximum temperature for causing the valve 3E to close and require the refrigerantto pass through the heatabsorbing device 21 in series with the coil 29 in the brine tank 3l. For actuatingthe expansion valve 2 I, there is provided a temperature responsive device 45 secured in contact with the pipe 33 by a clamp l5 which device i5 is directly affected by the temperature of the pipe 33 and thereby controls the opening and closing of the expansion valve 2l by the action oi an expansible fluid passing thru' a pipe 48.

The storage chamber 26 is provided with relatively heavy walls for limiting the infiltration of heat therethrough and thereby assisting the maintenance of a substantially constant temperature therein. The chamber 26 is designed and intended for the storage of liquids, such as beverages and the like, which should be maintained at relatively low temperature, but preferably above freezing temperature. Beverages and the like may be stored in the chamber 26 in barrels or kegs and may be removed for use as desired. The brine tank 3l' is somewhat exaggerated in the drawing as compared with the size f the storage chamber 26.y This tank is intended to be maintained at a relatively lower temperature than the chamber 26 for the purpose of cooling beverages in the coil 52. The coil 52 is provided with an entrance connection 53 and a discharge pipe 54 fromvwhich the beverage may be drawn as dispensed in small quantities. lThe coil 52 'is preferably disposed adjacent the bottom of the brine tank 3l at a lpoint spaced well below the cooling coil 29 in'order that the brine 56, in whichthe coil 52 is imcated at 51 and 58.

adapted to be operated for actuating the switch 5 and stopping the operation of the electric motor E. By this arrangement it will be appreciated that a predetermined amount of solidiflcation of the brine in the tank 3| is permitted, which serves to maintain the brine at a constant temperature regardless of fluctuations in the temperature of the storage compartment 26 which may be occasioned by the transfer in or out of stored beverages.

In the operation of this refrigerating mechanism, the switch 9 being closed, the motor 6 will drive the compressor 5 through the medium of l the driving connection 4, for compressing the refrigerant and storing it in the receiver I8. When the temperature of the pipe 33 is above a predetermined maximum, the device 45 will cause the opening of the expansion valve 2| permitting the discharge of condensed refrigerant to the pipe I9 and into the T 22 from which it may discharge through the heat-absorbing device 2-1 and in series through the cooling coll 29 and back to the compressor through the pipe 33. When the temperature of the storage chamber 26 becomes reduced to a predetermined minimum, the temperature responsive device 42 opens the circuit through the electrical conductors 31 and 33 causing the electrically operated valve 36 to open and bypass refrigerant through the pipes 34 and 35 directly to the cooling coil 29 and back to the compressor. This arrangement permits the cooling of the brine within the tank/ 3| to a temperature such that the brine will solidify at the top around the coil 29 until a predetermined degree of solidiflcation has been effected, which is determined by the position of the temperature responsive device I0. When the solidified brine engages the device I0, the switch 9 is caused to operate for opening the conductor 1 and causing the driving motor 6 to stop and remain stopped until the solidified brine again recedes from the device III, at which time the switch -9 is again closed causing further operation of the compressor. 'Ihe thermostatic device |0 is preferably positioned sufliciently close to the wall of the tank 3| to permit the ice to melt away and the compressor to be started in the event of unusually high temperatures in the chamber 26 such as might occur after the doors of said chamber had been left open an unusually long time.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the temperature in the coil 52 is controlled very accurately, the relative temperature thereof depending upon the density of the brine in the tank 3|. For cooling beverages such as beer, a sweet-water brine -has been'found to have a proper density to maintain the coil 52 at a desired temperature. By varying the'density of the brine or liquid in the tank 3|, it is of course possible to vary the temperature at which the liquid surrounding the coil 52 is maintained,

since such temperature is a direct function oi' the freezing point of the brine or liquid.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler comprising a cooling coil, said cooler having abrine therein adapted to solidify about the cooling coil, means for supplying a refrigerant to said heat-absorbing means and thence to said cooling coil, means controlled by the temperature of the storage chamber to bypass the refrigerant directly to the cooling coil, and means responsive to a predetermined amount of solidiflcation of the brine for stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means.

2. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler comprising a cooling coil, said cooler having a brine therein adapted to solidify about the cooling coil, means for supplying a refrigerant to said heat-absorbing means and thence to said cooling coil, means controlled by the temperature of the storage chamber to bypass the'refrigerant directly to the cooling coil, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

3. In a refrigerating system, -a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said4 chamber, a beverage cooler comprising acooling coil, said cooler having a brine therein adapted to solidify about the cooling coil, means for supplying a refrigerant to said heat-absorbing means and thence to said cooling coil, means controlled by the temperature of the storage chamber to bypass the refrigerant directly to the cooling coil, and means responsive to a predetermined amount tion of the refrigerant supplying means, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

4. In a refrigeratng system, a beverage cooler, comprising a brine container for containing brine adapted to freeze at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil disposed in the upper part of said container, means for supplying refrigerant to said cooling coil, temperature responsive means adapted to be actuated upon a predetermined degree of solidiflcation of the brine for stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means,

and a coil disposed adjacent the bottom of said brine container for containing beverage to be cooled.

5. In a refrigerating system, a beverage cooler, comprising a brine container for containing brine adapted to freeze at ture, a cooling coil disposed in the upper part of said container, means for supplying refrigerant to said cooling coil, temperature responsive means adapted to be actuated upon a predetermined degree of solidiflcation of the brinefor stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means, a.

coil disposed adjacent the bottom of said brine container for containing beverage to be cooled, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil. and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil for controlling the'actuation of said expansion valve. I 6.v In a refrigerating system, a storage lchameo g a predetermined temperan heat-absorbing device and to said cooling coil,

ber, a. heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower than the .temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing device and t0 said cooling coil, and means responsive to a predetermined temperature of said storage chamber for causing the refrigerant supplied, to be bypassed directly to said cooling coil.

7. In a refrigeratingsystem, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature Ilower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said means forming a bypass for said heat absorbing device and a l temperature responsive device adapted to be actuated by a predetermined temperature in said storage chamber for opening and closing said bypass.

8. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing .device and to said cooling coil, and means responsive to a predetermined temperature of said storage chamber for causing the refrigerant supplied, to be bypassed directly to said cooling coil, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

' 9. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing device and to said cooling coil, means forming a bypass for said heat absorbing device and a temperature responsive device adapted to be actuated by a predetermined temperature in said storage chamber for opening and closing said bypass, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the coolingv coil for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

l0. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower. than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in predetermined amount 0f solldication of the brine for stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means.

11. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a

beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a tem-l perature lower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing device and to said cooling coil, means forminga bypass for said heat absorbing device and a temperature responsive device adapted to be actuated by a. predetermined temperature in said storage chamber for opening and closing said bypass, and means responsive to .a predetermined amount of' solidication of the brine for stopping operation of the .refrigerant supplying means.

12. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing device and to said cooling coil,

and means responsive to a predetermined temperature of said storage chamber for causing the refrigerant supplied, to be bypassed directly to said cooling coil, and means responsive to a predetermined amount of solidication of the brine for stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil 'for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

13. In a refrigerating system, a storage chamber, a heat-absorbing device in said chamber, a beverage cooler adapted to be reduced to a temperature lower than the temperature of the storage chamber, said beverage cooler comprising a brine tank for brine adapted to solidify at a predetermined temperature, a cooling coil in said tank connected in series with said heat-absorbing device, means for supplying refrigerant to said heat-absorbing device and to said cooling coil, means forming a bypass for said heat absorbing device and a temperature responsive device adapted to be actuated by a predeterminedtemperature in said storage chamber for opening and closing said bypass, and means responsive to a predetermined amount of solidication of the brine for stopping operation of the refrigerant supplying means, an expansion valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the cooling coil, and means responsive to temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the cooling coil for controlling the actuation of said expansion valve.

VICTOR C. HUNTINGTON. 

